It is always challenging to predict a league table for the end of the season right at the beginning of the year before a ball has been kicked, but it’s good fun and nice to see how close you were at the end of the year!
Betfred Super League
1. Wigan Warriors
I think it will be hard to look too far away from Wigan to be the table toppers. Matt Peet has it right, doesn’t he? The players look happy, the club is in a great place, and they have one of the best academies around, which helps plug any gaps with injuries, and we’ve seen that with Junior Nsemba coming through the ranks last season.
2. Warrington Wolves
I can’t imagine Sam Burgess being too happy with how his team ended last campaign, which will only fuel Sam’s hunger for success this season. He’ll only make minor adjustments, which could be the answer to his success.
3. St Helens
The Saints need a big year. Tristan Sailor is going to be the most significant difference for me. They could do with Jack Welsby going forward more rather than the sideways runs he makes, but they’ll be better this year.
4. Hull KR
They’ll be up there again; how can they not be? KR seems to recruit above averagely well every year, which has given them an excellent squad, with Mikey Lewis leading them around and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the pack. I’m probably doing them some injustice by putting them forth.
5. Leeds Rhinos
I’ve seen enough of Brad Arthur last season to know the Rhinos will be a completely different team this year. However, I still have some concerns about their spine. I don’t see Matt Frawley or Lachie Miller as outstanding ball players to take them to a Grand Final, but Jake Connor will probably take at least one of their places, which is why I see them outside the top four.
6. Catalan Dragons
I think they’re just going to sneak in over Leigh. I think they’ve recruited well. Tevita Pangai Junior, Luke Keary, and Oliver Partington are brilliant signings. Ben Garcia’s move into number 9 is an interesting one. I just feel there is a lot of pressure on Sam Tomkins to stay fit, as well as pressure on Steve McNamara and the club itself, with the RFL making the club pay for all other clubs’ travel to the South of France.
7. Leigh Leopards
Edwin Ipape will be a beast again, no doubt, but I feel he and Lachlan Lamb maybe have one eye on a move to the NRL for 2026; Matty Molen will be a miss, and Gaz O’Brien isn’t setting the league a light, but I think it’s going to be tight for that sixth position.
8. Salford Red Devils
Despite all the troubles Salford has had in the offseason, Paul Rawley will have that team working hard together, for each other, for him, and they’ll be decent. It’s not easy. There’ll be a lot of noise every week regarding the club’s state and players being touted to go elsewhere, but they just have that little more quality than others.
9. Wakefield Trinity
Steady. Coach, steady. Recruitment, steady. Spine, Steady. They’ve had a good year in the Championship building for this season and added some good experience at the Super League level, so it’ll be a steady year for them.
10. Hull FC
Best of the rest. I think they’ll be more settled than last year. However, I still think the high turnover of players, staff, etc., will hurt them in the background. I believe Jordan Rapana will be great to have in the Super League, and I’m sure the new coach, John Cartwright, will bring something new to FC. I just don’t see much happening for them this year.
11. Huddersfield Giants
The three lads from South Sydney Rabbitohs have been brilliant buys. I’m not sure they have the creativity they need. I didn’t see much of a difference when Luke Robinson took over last season, and they were desperate for a playmaker; giving Tui Lolohea a new contract was a backwards step.
12. Castleford Tigers
They have a small squad, lack ideas, and lack creativity. Judah Rimbu looks like he could be a great signing, but he’ll only be on the field for 40 minutes a game; they need him for more than that to make the impact they need him to make.
Betfred Championship
1. Bradford Bulls
What a squad the Bulls have this season. There is size and quality all over the park. And having a narrow field at Odsal, you just know the likes of Emmanual Waine, Franklin Pele, and Nathan Mason are going to have fun running down the middle of that field.
2. York Knights
I think with the IMG rating York got at the end of last year, with the fantastic end to the season they had, it will double up as excellent motivation to aim for a top-two spot; they need to be consistent and use the experience in their squad to do so.
3. Toulouse Olympique
Their home form is everything, but they’ll have a small squad again, and travelling will not be easy for them this season.
4. Featherstone Rovers
They seem to have recruited well, their preseason has looked good, and they’re always a tough team in this league. James Ford is under pressure to get things right this season, and that will play its part, as will all of Fevs’ off-field troubles, which seem to occur every year.
5. Widnes Vikings
I don’t see many getting close to the top four this season. Widnes have a fairly settled squad; after a great start last season, they’ll want to have a better whole year-round.
6. Sheffield Eagles
Craig Lingard is a good coach, but I’m not sure the players are going to get on board with not having Mark Aston in charge. Everything that was right with the Eagles came through him; it will be a transition year for them.
7. Oldham
They’re massive outsiders, and there is no reason Oldham can’t finish in the top six. They are doing everything they can to put themselves up there. They’ve recruited well, and the club is going in the right direction, but for me, they have some adjusting to do this year. Once they get that right this season, it’ll put them in a great position for 2026.
8. Doncaster
On paper, they have a good squad for this level, but they’re so hot and cold; one week, they could beat the top of the league, and the next, lose to the bottom.
9. Halifax Panthers
Fax is a club that is either challenging for the top six or in a relegation battle, but this year, with Kyle Eastmond, he has a point to prove. He’ll bring some new ideas to the club, which will be good, but they lack size.
10 London Broncos
The owner’s departure, relegation from the Super League, lack of a squad, and picking players up from the local competition have me worried about their season. Still, Mike Eccles has enough coaching talent to keep them in the league.
11 Batley Bulldogs
Bately always likes to bring in local talent to their squad, but whether they can do it at the championship level is a wonder. Their team has been together for a while, but they’re ageing. Mount Pleasant will be a massive factor in gaining points this season.
12 Barrow Raiders
I see it being a long season for the Cumbrian club. I think they’ll rely heavily on dual reg to get them through the season; they have some good players on their day, but in terms of their budget, it’s not the biggest.
13 Hunslet
It’s been an incredible story that Hunslet made it to the Championship. And what a game that was away at Swinton, but this is a massive step. They’ve only brought in a couple players, keeping the majority of their squad from last year; they deserve their chance, but it will be a struggle.
Betfred League One
I see the top four in the League of Keighley Cougars: Swinton Lions, North Wales Crusaders, and Rochdale Hornets. As expected, the Cougars have invested yet again, and they’ll top the table; Swinton is just behind, keeping many of their players from the Championship. I think the Crusaders will shock a few throughout the year; they seem to be on the right track to go through the leagues. I think the Hornets will be up and around challenging again this season. Whitehaven, Dewsbury Rams, and Midlands Hurricanes will follow. Midlands have had a good preseason. Dewsbury has brought in a lot of amateur talent, but They have enough to keep themselves steady. The new boys, the Goole Vikings, have no pressure on them, and that will help them in their first-ever season in the professional leagues; Jamie Shaul will be the player to watch in the league. Workington Town will just be behind Goole, with Cornwall finishing above Newcastle Thunder, who I expect to have another terrible season.
Kaine Hall
INSIDE KNOWLEDGE 
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